Dinner With A Stranger
1775 Words
I spend most of the afternoon trying to convince myself not to go.
Unfortunately, Lisa and Chelsea wouldn’t let me bail.
’’You have to go Serenity.
’’ Lisa says.
’’I haven’t decided yet.
’’
’’You’re going.
’’ Chelsea says.
’’You’re supposed to be on my side Chelsea.
’’ I cry.
’’Not today.
’’ Chelsea says with a light laugh.
She walks to the closet and pulls out a dark blue dress.
‘’ You should wear this.
’’I immediately shake my head.
’’Why not?’’ Chelsea and Lisa ask.
’’Because.
’’
‘’Definitely not.
’’
Lisa shoots me a glare.
’’That’s not an answer.
’’
’’Yes it is.
’’
‘’Serenity, stop.
’’
I groan and flop unto the bed.
I stare at the dress and sigh.
It’s gorgeous, but too noticeable.
’’I don’t understand why you’re making a big deal out of this, it’s use dinner.
’’
She says while dragging me off the bed.
‘’It’s not just dinner.
’’
Lisa and Chelsea exchange a look.
Chelsea speaks first.
‘’What is it then?’’
I groan
’’I don’t know.
’’
Because I actually don’t know.
It’s so frustrating.
It’s supposed to be just dinner, but anytime I think about it I get so anxious.
I hate it.‘Serenity.
’’ Chelsea calls snapping me out of my thoughts.
She’s watching me carefully now.
‘’You’re overthinking again.
’’
I look away.
She’s right.
’’Look, if you aren’t enjoying yourself, you can leave.
’’ She says holding my
hand.
‘’Exactly.
’’ Lisa says.
‘’Just throw a drink at him and run.
’’
Chelsea sighs.
‘’Please don’t throw a drink.
’’
‘’I am a pretty fast runner.
’’ I say with a grin.
We all burst into laughter.
……..
An hour later, I’m standing in front of the mirror fully dressed.
The dress is beautiful, it flows down my body elegantly.
It’s comfortable, and most importantly it doesn’t cling.
It flows over my stomach.
It’s perfect.
’’You look stunning.
’’ I catch Chelsea staring through the mirror.
’’Thank you.
’’ I say with a soft smile.
Lisa screams.
with a huge grin.
‘’Won’t He do it? She finally accepted a compliment.
’’ She says
I snort.
‘’How did I become friends with you?’’’’I found you and you immediately begged me to be your friend.
’’
I glare at her while still laughing.
’’Okay that’s enough you two.
’’ Chelsea says.
I grab my purse and reach for the black card.
Good, it’s still here.
I stare at it for a moment.
There’s not much written on it.
Before I can think further, Lisa leads me to the door.
‘’Have fun.
’’ She screams before shoving me out of the room.
………..
The hostess barely glances up from her glowing phone when I approach.
‘’Good evening.
’’
’’Hello.
’’ She replies stiffly.
I reach for the black card in my purse and place it on the podium.
The hostess takes one look at it and immediately drops her phone.
The change is instant.
’’Come with me Miss Rossi.
’’
Miss Rossi?
How did she know my name?
She leads me past two restaurants, then a private elevator.Where exactly is she taking me?
The elevator doors slide open.
The hostess gestures for me to get in with a polite smile.
I step inside, and when the doors open again.
I gasp.
This isn’t an ordinary restaurant.
I don’t think I’ve seen a restaurant this luxurious.
The whole restaurant looks ridiculously expensive.
The tables are faced far apart, providing privacy.
This place is definitely exclusive to the elite.
My assumption is confirmed when I glance around.
The restaurant is filled with a handful of guests, who look effortlessly wealthy.
Unlike me.
I suddenly become painfully aware of my body.
I consider leaving before Damian sees me.
Then a familiar voice cuts through my panic.
‘’Serenity.
’’ Damian calls out, walking toward me.
He looks amazing.
His black suit fits him perfectly.
His eyes move over me.Slowly.
Controlled.
Like he’s taking me in.
The look makes my stomach flip.
‘’You came.
’’ He says
’’You sound surprised.
’’
’’Pleasantly.
’’ He says smiling.
Something odd settles in my chest.
Not fear.
Comfort.
Damian guides me to a table near a large window.
When we get to the table, he pulls out my chair.
The gesture catches me off gaurd.
I’m not used to this.
I feel embarrassed.
’’Thank you.
’’
’’You’re very welcome.
’’ He says with a soft smile.
God,this man is dangerous.
………
Dinner kicks off surprisingly normal.No awkward flirting.
No inappropriate touching.
No unnecessary bragging.
Instead, Damian asks questions.
Actual questions.
About me.
’’What do you do?’’
‘’Take a guess.
’’ I say with a smile.
I somehow don’t feel as anxious anymore.
‘’Does it involve cooking?”
I gasp.
‘’How did you guess that?’’
’’You look like you’re piecing recipes in your head.
’’ He says with a coy smile.
‘’ I’m a private chef.
’’
‘’ What led to the decision to be a private chef?’’ He asks with genuine
curiosity.
I smile faintly.
‘’Cooking made me feel safe, it was a form of escape for me. So
naturally, I decided since I’m not big on working with a lot of people why not go
in the private sector.
’’
His eyebrow lifts.
‘’ That’s very interesting, but that’s not the full story is it?’’
A small laugh escapes me, tears stinging my eyes.
’’No it isn’t.
’’I don’t know how, but I find myself telling him everything.
About working in the orphanage’s kitchen.
About having to save every dollar that came my way.
About building my business from nothing.
About the satisfaction I get from creating recipes.
Damian listens intently.
His eyes stay fixed on me the entire time.
He seems genuinely interested in everything I say.
It feels nice.
Really nice.
“You love it.
’’ He says suddenly.
I blink.
“What?”
“Cooking.
’’
I smile before I can stop myself.
“Yes I do. I really do.
’’
His expression softens.
“Your smile is brighter when you talk about it.
’’
His observation catches me off guard.
I look down at my wine glass, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
“What about you, what do you do?’’ I manage to ask.
His expression shifts quickly.It disappears as quickly as it came.
“What about me?’’
“Yes, what do you do for work?’’
“Work.
’’ He says with a grin.
I can’t help but laugh.
“Wow that’s very specific.
’’
“Thank you.
’’ He says, winking at me.
I study him.
“So that’s all you’ll tell me.
’’
“For now.
’’ He says.
Not no.
Just not yet.
Something about his answer excites me.
This means there’s definitely more to him that meets the eye.
The conversation continues, and we talk about everything under the sun.
I lose track of time and stop worrying about where I am.
About how expensive everything looks.
About how I don’t belong here.
Instead, I’m just enjoying myself.
’’Why do you keep doing that.
’’ He says suddenly, his gaze fixed on my hands.
I freeze.
‘’What?’’’’ You keep pulling at your sleeves.
’’
My fingers immediately stop moving.
Heat rushes to my face.
‘’ I’m not.
’’ I mutter.
’’ You are.
’’ He says, his gaze still fixed on my hands.
I suddenly feel exposed.
Like he can see through me.
Really see me.
I hate how much I like it.
‘’ It’s a habit.
’’ I blurt out.
Damian leans back slightly.
’’ I noticed you try to make yourself smaller.
’’
I gasp quietly.
His words hit harder than they should.
Because they’re true.
Painfully true.
I laugh nervously.
‘’ I don’t know what you’re talking about.
’’
“Yes, you do.
’’ He says gently.
Silence stretches between us.
I look away.
“Maybe.
’’ I mumble.‘‘Why?” He asks, his eyes still locked on mine.
I don’t answer.
Not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t know how to.
How do you explain years of insecurity?
“ It’s impossible you know.
’’ Damian says.
I frown.
“What is?’’
His eyes move over my face, taking in every feature.
’’Going unnoticed.
” He said firmly.
A dry laugh escapes me.
“That’s because I'm fat.
”
He frowns.
you walk into.
”
“No, it's because you’re the most beautiful person in every room
My eyes sting with tears.
His words hit deep, leaving me speechless.
………
Later, after the first course. Soft music echoes from a nearby lounge.
Damian suddenly rises from his chair, then extends his hand.
“Dance with me.
” He says with a smile.
“I don’t dance.
” I say looking down.
“You came on a cruise,no?” He asks.
“Your point?” I say, a light laugh escaping me.
“So, it would be wrong if you didn’t dance.
”Then, against my better judgment…. I take his hand.
Damian’s hand settles lightly against my waist, as he leads towards the dance
floor.
His hand feels warm.
I like it.
The dance floor is basically empty, which puts me at ease for a moment until I
realize everybody would be staring at us.
At me.
Damian suddenly lifts my face to meet his eyes.
“Look at me, we’re here together.
” He says with a reassuring smile.
Then, we start dancing.
We move slowly together, our eyes fixed on each other.
At some point, I became aware of how close we are.
I start to think of how easy it would be to lean forward.
How easy it would be to fall for him.
Then, Damian’s eyes drop to my lips.
My heart nearly stops.
Suddenly, I start to feel hot.
Too hot.
Panic settles.
I step back.Damian visibly stiffens.
His expression is neutral now.
“I should go.
” I mutter under my breath.
For a second, I notice disappointment flash across his face.
Then his expression quickly returns back to neutral.
Then, he nods slowly.
“If that's what you want.
”
I turn away quickly.
Shit. s**t. Shit
The words echo in my head as I step in the elevator.
I look up to risk one final glance at him.
He hasn’t moved an inch.
He’s watching me.
He surprisingly doesn’t look angry.
He almost looks amused.
Like he’s confirmed something.
The elevator doors close and I can still feel his eyes on me.
- Writer
